1.5 Storm Water Drainage and Erosion Control measures implemented to minimize site run off and pollution of the environment.

1.6 Collection and retention of stormwater on the property through the use of berms, swales, and settlement terraces.

1.7 Vegetation cleared on construction site recycled and used for downslope cleared brush diversion berms during construction rather than burned or taken off site.

1.8 Permanent compost area established on site for landscape trimmings and organic kitchen waste.

1.9 Driveway and onsite parking areas are well integrated into the site plan to minimum site excavation.

1.10 Adequate onsite parking areas sited or screened from public or estate roadways.

2. Building Structure.

The building or structure has been designed to be responsive to and reflective of tropical architectural design considerations, including trade winds and sun paths.

2.1 Building and site planning are in harmony and balance with the natural environment.

2.2 Building structure is well integrated into the natural landscape so as to require minimum site excavation and cuts into the hillside.

2.3 Building is sited to take advantage of natural breezes and or trade winds and maximizes the use of natural ventilation within the structure.

2.4 Building design incorporates “passive solar design features”. Masonry walls facing south, southeast or southwest are shaded with natural vegetation, porches, galleries, trellis’s or other design features to minimize heat gain on the walls and within the structure from the sun during the day

2.5 *Building roof is insulated.

2.6 *Non Air conditioned buildings have either an insulated roof or a radiant barrier installed in the roof substrate.

2.7 *Recycled materials used in the structure.

2.8 Low on no VOC paints, primers and wall coverings used as specified by greenseal.org/standards/paints.htm.

2.9 *FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, sustainably harvested lumber is used with the structure. Tropical hardwoods must be FSC certified.

2.10 Building integrated hurricane protection system installed (or readily available to easily install) on all openings.

2.11 Tropical vernacular (particular to a region) architectural design elements such as hip roofs, porches and galleries to shade the walls, lack of cantilevered overhangs, used in the design. (* Submission requested)

3. Water Management.
A Water Management & Conservation Plan for each building or structure has been developed.

3.1 Use an ecologically balanced On Site Sewage Disposal System ‘OSDS’ (where not connected to a municipal sewer system). Mechanical treatment system, rock/plant filter, subsurface flow constructed wetland or a composting toilet. Traditional Septic/leach field systems are not approved for use.

3.2 Use a zero energy treatment system. (Non-mechanical system)

3.3 Gray water collection system to collect rainwater from surfaced areas, (driveways, parking areas, decks, porches and patios) for reuse on the property (landscape irrigation system).

4.14.3 *Air-conditioned buildings windows and doors are Energy Star approved
or equivalent ENERGY STAR Qualified Windows, Doors and Skylights Eligibility To be eligible for the ENERGY STAR, products must be rated, certified, and labeled for both U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) in accordance with the procedures of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) | http://cpd.nfrc.org/pubsearch/psMain.asp# at levels which meet ENERGY STAR qualification criteria in the Southern Climate Zone.

4.14.4 *Checklist item #2.4 is checked or the building walls are insulated. (Submit insulation specifications)

4.15 Swimming pools:Residences with swimming pools must be able to check both items below to be eligible for certification.

4.15.1 Pool does not have an electric heater or is heated with solar panels or a heat transfer system.

4.15.2 Pool area does not exceed 800 square feet or if larger than 800 square feet has a pool cover installed. *(Submission requested)

5. Waste Minimization & Recycling.
Develop a process to minimize waste during the Construction phase and on-going Building Operations.

5.1 *Contractor has developed a definable waste minimization plan during construction.

5.2 *Building was demonstrably designed for efficient use of materials during construction.

5.3 Reuse of onsite fill material and stone for landscaping.

5.4 Contractor established and maintained a designated, contained, concrete truck wash out basin on site during construction.
(Submission requested)

6. Light Pollution.
Design an Exterior Lighting System that minimizes the amount of ambient light visible from outside the property.

6.1 No use of outwardly shining lights on buildings, patios and decks.
6.2 Use downward facing light fixtures on decks, pools and patios.
6.3 Use ground level fixtures for driveways, paths and landscape lighting.

7. Visual ImpactsEnsure that the visual impact of the building is in harmony with the surrounding Community.

7.1 Vistas on owner’s property respect adjacent property vistas.

7.2 Site design preserves the visual privacy of the property and adjacent properties.

7.3 Site is neat, clean and litter free.

8. Landscaping, Green Belts & Native/Natural Vegetation
The preservation of the existing natural vegetation of a site is the simplest and most cost effective form of landscaping. This vegetation is already well established on site and will survive in our extreme environment without constant irrigation. A considerate and effective landscape plan has been developed for the property to include:

8.4 Use of native/natural xeriscopic landscaping (plants that will survive in a dry climate).

8.5 Imported tropicals used in landscaping are concentrated around buildings for ease of watering and where the most environmental disruption has taken place during construction. As landscaping progresses outward from the habitable spaces it will transition from exotic to native.

8.6 *Natural and organic fertilizers and pesticides are used in landscape maintenance.

8.7 Fruit trees are planted on the property.

8.8 A organic vegetable garden is on the property
(* Submission requested)

9 Innovation in advanced Green Building Design and/or Technology. Bonus
Points.
To encourage innovation in and implementation of tropical green building design and/or technology, Bonus Points are offered for specific green buildings items incorporated in the residence, but not listed in Sections 1 through 8. In order for an Applicant to qualify for Bonus Points, the Residence must meet the minimum Three Star Certification Standards. Acceptance of items as Bonus Points is solely at the discretion of the IGBA Board of Directors. Three items are the maximum number of Bonus Points allowed. Approved Bonus Points will be added to the total number of checklist items scored.
* Detailed Submission required.

Transform the United States Virgin Islands into a net zero waste, carbon-neutral territory in order to protect the environment and ensure the health, welfare and economic security of the islands and its people.